For those who still have those old #15 jerseys hanging in their closet, time to take it out and dust it off!
After what seemed like months of interviews with countless number of candidates, reports are coming out that the New York Mets will be to hiring Carlos Beltran as their 22nd manager in franchise history.
This is a straight reaction piece and I’m still trying to process it. A lot of Mets fans, including myself, wanted Girardi initially because of his experience and proven success in New York. The main thing that turned people off on Beltran was his lack of experience. Like most newcomers to managing, especially those who were former players, what Beltran lacks in experience, he makes up for in intelligence, leadership and overall presence. He’s respected all throughout the game, beloved by many and seems to have the support of many within the front office. Along with the success he enjoyed as a player for both New York teams, Beltran’s work in the front office with the Yankees, as a special advisor to Brian Cashman, received glowing reviews. All three of those New York experiences should help him succeed in his newest role with the Mets.
New Yorkers love a good comeback story and this hire has all the makings of playing out as a redemption story after what happened in ‘06. I can go on and on about how that Game 7 loss cannot rest solely on Beltran’s shoulders with so many other factors playing a role, but that’s a post for another day. For those who hate the hire simply because of that one at bat, do us all a favor and renounce your Mets fandom right now because clearly you know nothing about how important Beltran was to that team and how his time in Queens makes him arguably one of the greatest to ever don the blue & orange.
At the end of the day, the Wilpons are still the owners so you almost expect a move like this to blow up in their face, but we are still going to support our team and those guys who are put on the field. Carlos Beltran has now been named our manager. His coaching staff will be just as important as his hiring, but he is now at the helm and I’m ready for it; is he?
